Chapter 78 - Lord Admiral Patrick Cochrane
Setting the ship on the right way, in only 10 minutes, Vlad started seeing the outline of a larger island with a port and some ship inside. He could see that this island village had developed enough to even make him nod his head in agreement.
Looking from the steering wheel past the pirate ship leading the way, he saw just like his visit in Calmaria, men armed and ready to fight.
The citizens of the village, especially the ones near the port, began discussing between themselves.
"Look, mother. That ship in the front is so big, it's the first time I see one so big."
"Sshh son, those might be the pirates, head Lagos alarmed us for."
Soon Vlad's ship arrived close to the port, ahead of the pirate ship that tucked to Vlad's caravel side.
"People of Picodras, I come bringing no harm to you. Your friends and family members who managed to get back to the village unharmed did so because of my intervention against those pirates. I only ask for you equal treatment befitting a friend." said Vlad after getting on the forecastle and watching the armed men's expressions.
Some younger guys, who looked a bit worn out, said between themselves.
"Brother, isn't this the guy who jumped on the pirate's ship and began killing the pirates, in doing so giving us a chance to escape?"
"Truly. He looks like that person. There's no way those pirates are pulling a trick on us. I've seen it with my two eyes as that person killed the pirates."
"Enough, let commander Lagos decide if we let those dangerous outsiders inside or not."
Similar kinds of discussions were happening between the sailors who managed to get back on the island, but suddenly their whispers stopped when a man in his mid-thirties walked forward.
This middle-aged-looking person with black and white hair standing in front of the armed men walked some steps ahead to face Vlad.
Facing Vlad, the man bowed to him, shocking the rest of the citizens instantly.
"We're grateful for your helping hand young man. How can I not want to welcome you to my humble village? However, those pirates you have on that pirate ship will not touch one grain of sand from my land."
"Understandable." Turning his head toward the pirate ship, he said for the pirates to hear again.
"You heard the man, no one gets out from the ship. Just drop the anchors and do whatever you want on the ship."
"Yes, sir."
Looking at Robert, he signaled him to pick up Aerius, as he created a blood stairway for them to step foot easily on the island. That move already created a sensation inside the island village, scaring people even more.
The leader saw how slowly Vlad walked down the stairs and Robert, who looked limping when walking down the stairs. He even heard the curses of a weird-looking black cat, who was constantly crying in pain.
When Vlad arrived in front of the leader, the village leader extended his hand, saying to him.
"You can call me Lagos, young man. Thank you yet again for stopping those pirates from harming our humble village."
"It's a pleasure to see you fine, sir Lagos. You can call me Vlad." said as he calmly shook Lagos' hand.
"Do you need medical treatment, Vlad? We have a doctor inside the village, he will be glad to help you guys if he hears that you saved us from pirates."
"That. If it's possible, I have those small guys who got wounded in the fight with the pirates, they are the priority for me."
Lagos stared at Vlad's calm face that didn't show any pain signs but still thought in his mind.
'What a strong young man, he clearly looks to have broken bones in his body, yet he doesn't even show a drop of it.'
"Come, I'll take you to the doctor. You guys are our guests here, no need to be humble Vlad. Every sailor that went to defend the village on the sea saw your courage when you fought with the pirates."
"That's right, sir. You're our savior. If we couldn't beat those pirates our village would be plundered and destroyed. Our families would have suffered a lot." said one of the younger guys, who looked to be around 14 years old but still smaller in stature compared to Vlad.
Vlad looked around the village and saw that their faces no longer seemed so afraid of him after summoning the blood stairway.
Then the citizens made way for Vlad to pass by their small port, and when he walked inside the village, he was surprised to see that the houses were well maintained. Some were from bricks, while others were of good quality wood.
There seemed to be a weird tradition inside those islands he was visiting. All the citizens stared at him as they bowed their heads a bit, from young to old, when he passed along with Lagos. Passing an alley, he entered a small central square, which made him nod his head.
"How is it Vlad, my village compared to what you have seen?"
"Has great potential, you and your older generations did a good job keeping this place as it is. Compared to some places I've seen this place is quite welcoming."
Lagos laughed a bit heartily, pleased to hear Vlad say that. As he ended laughing, he asked Vlad something else.
"From where were you coming, you seemed to directly be focused on that pirate ship."
"I come from the Kaysang Kingdom if you know about this kingdom. As for those pirates, let's say I had a grudge with the captain of that pirate crew."
When Vlad said that, Lagos stopped in front of a clean white stone house. Entering inside the house after knocking on the door, he said to a man who looked to be around his mid 50's, who smoked a cigarette, relaxed.
"Old Patrick, I got some young people who require your help."
"Hmph, give me a break, you always say that to me. Let me smoke this cigarette at least. Ohh, those people are not from this place. What's with them?"
"They are from Kaysang, old Patrick. Also, they saved us from the pirates who attacked us."
"Ohh, Kaysang? What a nostalgic name." said the old man while smoking his cigarette.
Looking at Vlad's face, Robert and Aerius, who seemed to have calmed a bit, asked Vlad directly, as if he had a problem with him.
"Tell me lad, how is the current situation inside Sagletius?"
Vlad's eyes sharpened a bit when hearing the man ask him that and only responded with one truth.
"It's getting better with each passing day."
"I see, I see." Indifferently taking another smoke, the old doctor casually asked Vlad.
"So, what is your name, young man. Don't give me some bullshit name, since I feel your face is slightly familial."
Seeing the casual manner, the old doctor asked him that made Vlad chuckle a bit. Walking closer to the man, he summoned some blood to form a chair for him to sit on since there was only a table and the chair the man was sitting on.
Being close to old Patrick's face and looking deeply at his face, still chuckling a bit.
"Vermilion Zagreus Vlad. Does this name ring a bell to you?"
This time, the old man took a big smoke breath, almost downing the freshly lighted cigarette in half.
"Mortherfuckers. So your bastard's line didn't disappear yet. Haha, you're a prince, little guy? Which bastards do you come from? Right, how many sons did that stupid king managed to make? I only heard the news of one son called Lucius."
"Heh, you seem to know some things about Kaysang old man. However, before I tell you more, go on tell me, who are you exactly underneath that old doctor's appearance? As you said, don't lie, I can also tell lying people if I want."
"Hah, to think it would come a time when a Prince would stay so close before this old me." as he said that, he blew a cloud of smoke right in Vlad's face.
"To even be able to do this. Hah, it feels so pleasant to be able to do this at my old age. Listen well, brat, about who I truly am. I am Patrick Cochrane, the Lord Admiral of your kingdom. Well, that was in the past.
Also, I shouldn't forget, a proud noble, of the house of Cochrane. Earl of Kaysang, but that old man of yours grew shit in his brains and sent me in exile for some dumb reason. Hmph, listen to him, me being a traitor. Leaving that old retard Nius to take over the control of the army and my navy."
"An Earl you say? How old were you when all of this happened?"
"Tsk, why ask kid, does it even matter? Fine, don't give me that annoying look that you royals have. I was 31 when I was sent in exile on this island."
"Well, sir Cochrane, did you know about the massacre that happened 15 years ago in the capital city? And the killing of the loyal noble houses. I think my grandfather may have protected your family by choosing to send you here."
"What massacre kid? Don't tell me, those snobbish bastards throw a revolt and killed your grandfather and the rest of the royal family? Wait, what? He sent me here to protect me? Why would I even need his protection!? I was at the peak of my power, Lord Admiral of the entire Kaysang fleet. I could send any enemy fleet to hell in just some signals. "
"Yes, yes. You sure were able to do that Lord Admiral. Now let me end my story about what truly happened to Kaysang."
Lagos wanted to leave the room to disturb Vlad and Patrick, but the older guy looked at him, signaling him to remain inside.
Then, Vlad began telling Patrick about the story Nius told him, going into the details he had. After 20 minutes of telling his story, Patrick grew angry and yelled without a target.
"Motherfuckers. I'll blow their entries' estates. Hey Lagos, you better build my fleet, so I can blow those fuckers to hell. Damn, to think they dared to ally themselves with the underworld rats just to take the reins of power."
"Sir Patrick, you know this will be hard for our island to build the fleet you envision."
"Hmph, you're wrong young Lagos. You have right in front of you a royal. He has the money to sponsor us in building the fleet. Right, little Vermilion?" asked Admiral Cochrane with a sly smile on his face.
"I can sponsor you. I even planned to make a deal with the leaders of this island to be part of my protectorate since this island isn't part of Kaysang territory."
"Don't worry young prince, this is your territory. As much as I want to hit that grandfather's of yours in his dumb face, I will do it when Kaysang is on its feet, standing once again proud."
"Sir, I think we should continue our talk before I apply some treatment on those guys."
"Right, I almost forgot. Who is the first to get treated? Come, don't be shy, I might be a sailor, but after I got exiled I began teaching myself the path of medicine."
"I think I can handle it myself alone sir. Just bring some strong alcohol to disinfect the wound on Robert's leg."
Patrick nodded his head and walked to pick from the ground a box that had different operation tools.
Robert then walked to another room in the house, which had a lot of beds. After that, Vlad took off his black coat and raised his shirt sleeves. The old man was there looking at Robert's wound before saying to him.
"Kid, you really got lucky with that wound of yours. Good that you come in time to get treated. Let me take out that bullet from your leg before it starts getting infected."
Vlad stopped Patrick, saying calmly. "No need, I'll take out that bullet myself without much hassle, just watch. Robert you better grit your teeth and not scream like a little girl."
"Shut up and take that bullet off already."
Smiling evilly for a brief moment, he then turned cold serious as he summoned his blood out, which began flowing in Robert's wound.
"You're a devil user kid. Wow, it's been a while since I've seen one."
Ignoring Patrick's comments, Vlad, with a serious face, began checking using his blood powers who flowed inside Robert's wound for the bullet stuck in his leg. After some minutes of careful maneuvering, he calmly said to Robert.
"Get ready little Robert, I'll pull out that bullet."
Suddenly, the blood circling around the bullet stuck on Robert's leg solidified, and even the line formed by the blood around his fingers solidified. After the blood solidified, Vlad drew back the blood string in a swift manner.
"ARGH. THIS IS WORSE THAN GETTING SHOT!?" screamed Robert in pain.
"Done, let's disinfect the wound before bandaging the leg." said Vlad as he ignored Robert's cries of pain while his face looked calm and collected.
Getting some cotton wet in strong alcohol in his hand from Patrick's box, he began disinfecting Robert's wound.
"NOOO!? PLEASE STOP IT, IT BURNS ME!?" cried Robert again in agony.
Carefully bandaging his leg while his hand pinned Robert down to stay calm and not shake him. Minutes later, he finished the bandaging and said to Robert, who began breathing in relief while showing him the bullet that contained some blood.
"You're fine now. Here take him as a souvenir, a reminder that you've become a man."
Taking the bullet tossed by Vlad in his hand, Robert stared at Vlad and asked him.
"Does this mean I can drink now?"
"Maybe. Depends on my mood."
Now moving to Aerius, Vlad stared at the young black gryphon and asked him.
"So what do you want little guy from me? Placing your muscles in check, bone cracks, what do you want?"
"Everything. Just make this pain stop hurting me."
"Aerius, come on don't be delusional. You remember when you first successfully took to the sky in Sagletius. Did you pass out and don't remember what happened afterward?"
"I don't remember, didn't you treat me?"
"I did, but you were unconscious when I did that. Don't worry little guy, maybe this time you'll remember the treatment."
Aerius's golden eyes bulged out when hearing Vlad's comment, turning to look at Patrick and Lagos, saying to both of them with a pleading voice.
"Old man hit me hard on the head. I have to sleep to survive this devil's cold hands."
When Patrick and Lagos heard Aerius's comment, they started laughing heartily and just watched as this talking creature began crying in pain as Vlad started pushing his muscles as if he was doing a massage.
However, instead of being the soothing one, it was a tyrannical one that made Aerius howl in pain.
After 10 minutes of working Aerius' body, settling down his muscle fibers and bones, he got away from the bed he was staying in. Looking at the unconscious Aerius, he asked Patrick and Lagos.
"How long did that little guy manage to stay awake in the process? I closed my eardrums and couldn't hear his screams and curses."
"That small guy got sent to sleep after 4 minutes." responded Patrick with a smile on his face.
"Hmm, that's good. It seems he improved his physical ability with the passing time."
After that, Patrick led Vlad toward another room with some sofas, as if it was a lounge, which he gladly took a seat in.
As he was sitting, Patrick wanted to ask him about his weird medical treatments, but Vlad placed his hand forward to stop him. Taking his white shirt off, Patrick could see Vlad's bruised rib cage and chest. Also, he saw the small black mark on his chest right on his heart.
"Kid, that's really a nasty wound you got there. Hey Lagos, you should really be thankful to this young prince. If he wasn't there to stop that pirate probably all the ships would be sunk by the pirate with all of you dead."
"I know uncle. But I can't do anything to alleviate his pain."
"Tsk, you useless bum, what have I thought of you all this time? Well, anyway, it's good that you've got out alive from that conflict. Hey little prince, do you need any help with those wounds, a cold compress or something?"
"No need sir, I will use my blood powers to keep the broken bones in place, until they are healed. Probably it will take me one to two weeks to heal up. However, can you help me out with some food?"
"Food you say? Easy. Lagos, see it be done before night settles down." ordered Patrick, Lagos as if he was his parent.
Lagos felt a bit embarrassed but raised from his seat and walked out of the house, most likely to get some food for Vlad.
"Good, now that we are alone. Tell me, young prince, how do you plan to take over Kaysang from the grasp of the nobles. I doubt you'll bet all your chips only on that old gambler Nius."
"Earl Patrick, I plan to weaken the noble council, especially Duke Lacilet by doing diverse things that would affect their revenue. Pirating their merchant ships, taking their cargo and money, or other extortion. Blocking some part of the sea that gives access to their port, blocking their trade route. Also, I play to do a sugar strategy and fish out some of the weaker nobles who are willing to ally with me in the fight with Lacilet after not receiving any special treatment from Lacilet."
"Hmmm, this plan sounds good, but have you thought about the marines interfering if the nobles are whining about pirating? Those marines are strong regardless of what you think."
"I doubt those marines stationed in South Blue are capable of using haki. I've only seen 2 people so far using haki. Nius, and a guy who was right about to awaken it."
"Pardon me, can you explain what this Haki is?"
"Think of it as a type of energy that slumbers in any lifeform, or so Nius explained to me when I was a slave."
"There's really such a thing inside of us? Do you have it right now kid?"
"Not yet, but I'm approaching that step. However, I don't feel rushed to try awakening it because I barely got some mastery of my blood powers."
"Right, you're a devil user. What was that, something around blood?"
"Yes, Lord Admiral. I'm such a thing if using the terminology of simple men who see a devil user. A Blood Human. Here let me show you a trick."
As Vlad said that, his eyes shined with a bright red light when staring at Patrick. The Earl felt a metallic taste in his mouth and his heart pulsing harder. Looking at Vlad, he saw that his red eyes turned back to their green color.
"Woah, that sure was intense. What you did just now?"
"Influenced your heart for a brief second to beat harder. However don't ask me for details on how it works, let's say there are secrets that I wish to keep for myself."
"Sure young prince. I appreciate your openness, compared to the royals I've seen from other kingdoms or even Kaysang, you're probably the first one I could enjoy talking casually."
"That's how it should be sir Patrick, in the end we're only men, nothing more. However, there should still be boundaries, but not so deep as you might refer to."
"Indeed little Vermilion. Here, do you want to drink something from this old man?" asked the Earl with a smile on his face while taking a bottle of wine from his collection.
Vlad chuckled a bit as he touched his wound but agreed to the Earl.
Slowly the atmosphere between the two started getting relaxed as Vlad was telling Patrick about the days he was a slave, the journey he had to get out of the mine, and other of his endeavors.
Patrick also didn't back down from a good story as the two downed bottles of wine.
"You know little Vlad, the best time I had as admiral was to sink the entire fleet of the Briss Kingdom. Haha, you should watch the shocked faces of those morons when I took them from their backs with a barrage of cannonballs. Heh, but I was scolded by that old fart Opheltius because I shouldn't destroy their fleet, and instead take it away from them. But can you blame me, little prince, I did what I had to do in order to win the war."
"Sure Lord Admiral, but I also understand my grandfather's reaction. Building those types of heavy ships can drown your pockets instantly."
"Hmph, so what. Would I rather risk the lives of my able men into a long battle, when I could just end those Brissians cheese eaters?"
"At the end of the day, I am the one recorded in history as victorious, not the Brissians, or the Sorbetians. Anyway, I'm not finished here, let me tell you another story, young prince."
